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Magazine of the Church in Abingdon -

a partnership of thirteen churches Winter 2009

I
N Roman mythology Janus was the god of gates, doors
doorways, beginnings and endings. He was also known as the
figure representing time because he could see into the past with
one face and into the future with the other. In the New Year as
many of us face an unsure future some may be reminded of a verse
quoted by King George VI in his broadcast Christmas message at
the outbreak of war in 1939.
I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year,
"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the
unknown.” And he replied, “Go out into the darkness, and
CHURCH
put your hand into the hand of God. That shall be to you
SERVICES
better thaninlight, and safer than a known way."

ABINGDON 1
RELIGIOUS SOCIETY of
FRIENDS Abbey Centre
Audlett Drive 10.15 am
ST HELEN’S PARISH CHURCH
West St Helen Street
(Church of England) 10 am
ST EDMUND’S ROMAN
CATHOLIC CHURCH
Radley Road 8 am, 9.30 am,
11.30 am and 7 pm
THE SALVATION ARMY
West St Helen's Street 10 am
(also 4 pm 2nd Sunday in the
month)
CHRIST CHURCH
Northcourt Road (Church of
England) 9.30 am, 11.15 am
and 6.30 pm
CHRIST CHURCH ON LONG
FURLONG
Long Furlong Primary School,
Boulter Drive (Church of
England) 10.00 am
PEACHCROFT CHRISTIAN
CENTRE
Lindsay Drive 10.00 am
2
ST MICHAEL AND ALL
ANGELS Park Road (Church
of England 9.30 am
ABINGDON BAPTIST
CHURCH Ock Street
10.30 am and 6.30 pm
ALL SAINTS METHODIST
CHURCH
Appleford Drive 10.30 am and
6.30 pm
TRINITY CHURCH
Conduit Road (Methodist
and United Reformed)
10.30 am and 6.30 pm
ABINGDON COMMUNITY
CHURCH
Thameside School, Cotman
Close, Abingdon 10.30 am
ST NICOLAS CHURCH
Market Place
(Church of England) 11 am
Abingdon Town Centre
Chaplaincy Diane Livesley
(All Saints)

V ARIOUS people have asked me if I could write

something about the Abingdon Town Centre Chaplaincy
– or ATCC as we call it. So here goes! I’ve tried to
summarise the overall aim of the project, but also to focus on the
personal aspects of what it means to be a chaplain.

Many towns around Britain have town centre chaplaincies. One of

our nearest is in Swindon. Chaplains are ordinary people (and
sometimes ordained clergy) who give a regular chunk of their time
to visit local shops and businesses. They get to know the staff and
act as a listening ear and a ‘friend on the street’. There is no ‘hard
sell’ of Christianity involved – chaplains have to be aware of the
different spiritual inclinations of those they come into contact
with. The approach is one of friendship among people of any faith
(and none).

We launched ATCC on June 29th at St Nicolas Church. The

project is supported by Church in Abingdon and by Abingdon
Town Council as well as by our local police. At present there are
seven chaplains and each of us covers one part of the town centre.
The shops and businesses around town are generally very
supportive of the idea and, speaking personally, I have been made
to feel very welcome when I visit people.

Here I feel it is right to move to my own personal experience and

involvement. For several years I’ve had a vague feeling that ‘we
ought to do something to support Abingdon’. Over the last couple
of years a lot of shops have shut and several businesses have
closed. Part of this is to do with the economic situation. Part of it
is because owners have reached retirement.

3
Whatever the reason, the overall impression on visitors, shoppers
and other traders has been rather negative. I feel that Abingdon
needs a bit of tender loving care. There are still many people
involved in making our town tick. Each shop employs several
staff. There are small businesses tucked away where we don’t
always notice them. People are doing their best to make a living
and to provide services that the rest of us need. I am a Chaplain
because I feel that it is important to offer support to everyone who
works in our town. I’ve lived in Abingdon for over 20 years and
already know a lot about the shops and businesses because I use
them regularly.

This summer I started visiting the shops and businesses on my

‘patch’ which is East and West St Helen’s Street. At first, calling
in on people can seem rather daunting – even if, like me, you
know the town well. There is always the thought ‘Well, goodness,
what do I say? What do I do? What happens if . . .?’ However, I
really believe that it is the right thing for Abingdon to have a
chaplaincy, so I feel that I simply have to take the first steps on
trust. I believe that God will be with me and that he will help me
to know how to use the time to best advantage. We all have a
tendency these days to expect instant results. But any form of
relationship takes time and investment. None of us knows exactly
where a relationship will lead us. When I got married, for
example, I could not foresee exactly how things would work out
or what I would be doing ten or twenty years down the line. It is
the same with chaplaincy work.

Over this summer Richard Bittleston and Colin Pattenden have

organised training sessions for the chaplaincy team. We operate
on a confidential basis, though we might be able to suggest other
‘help agencies’ to those who need them. One of the really positive
things about being part of the chaplaincy team is that we all get to
know more about one another. We come from varying traditions
within the church, but I think it is fair to say that we share and
learn all the time.

4
For example, when we last met, one of the chaplains shared with
us the idea that we might think of ourselves as sowers of seed.
Those who sow the seed are not necessarily the ones who see it
grow to harvest. They just do their job of sowing the seed. Other
influences help it to grow. The image that means a lot to me is
that of salt and light. Christians are called to be salt and light in
their communities. A little of each goes a long way, but its
absence leaves a big hole.
It is always tempting to think that because we are individuals we
can’t do much. But once we begin to see ourselves as pieces in
God’s much bigger jigsaw puzzle, I believe that we start to have
more confidence in our own ability to make a difference. It is
certainly worthwhile to try.
If you would like to find out more about the Abingdon Town
Centre Chaplaincy, visit the website at www.atcc.org.uk .

Domaine des Courmettes

and A Rocha France
D OMAINE des
Courmettes is
two square mile
a

estate on a
mountainside in
Provence, an hour
from Nice but with
very diverse flora
and fauna. Les
Courmettes is its
massive 18th century house, nearly 3000 feet up. It would
make a splendid hotel, but the Protestant foundation that

5
owns it (thanks to an American donor, in 1918) want it to
minister to a wider public. It has had several roles, most
recently as an activity centre, until the company went out of
business.

A Rocha is an international Christian mission, 25 years old,

and it exists to recover the Biblical mandate to care for
creation, which the western church has so sadly neglected.
A Rocha France, one of 18 national organisations, is 10
years old, and is based near Arles. Their work includes
education, research, and conserving a biodiverse wetland
area, with local landowners. Then in 2008 les Courmettes
was offered to A Rocha France for 20 years. It was a huge
step for a small organisation but they believed it right to
accept.
A Rocha France has
no funds. We met
many fine people living
on a shoestring, and
facing difficult choices
about their future.

It is therefore essential
that the first is for les
Courmettes to start to
generate an income.

For that the house must be made habitable, so that it can

host events like weddings and business meetings. As I
write, on Sunday afternoon, there is a scout jamboree in the
grounds outside. As with any old building, there is no end of
odd jobs and things needing fixing. Insulation is a high
priority, to minimise the heating bills in winter, with solar
heating to follow. So we have been painting and decorating,

6
repairing and gardening, concreting and insulating. It may
not be obvious, but A Rocha's work is frontline mission.
The world faces huge environmental threats, and a practical
faith that cares for the earth is good news to those who fear
for the future, and even more to the millions whose
livelihood depends directly on the land. It has grown very
rapidly, with a continual need to adapt and to live with a
shortage of funds. In France the church is weak, and there
is no tradition of churches sending out workers and
supporting them.

Religion in France is seen as a private matter, with no part

to play in the secular state. Spiritually the opposition comes
from freemasonry, which is strong in Nice and dominates
local politics. So the mere existence of A Rocha, a religious
body, working in conservation, a secular function, is a
challenge to the accepted way of thinking. It is a wonderful
place, in spectacular countryside.

One of A Rocha's core principles is community, and the

operation of the centre reflects this. Life revolves around the
communal dining room, where we gather after breakfast to
pray and plan, as well as for our shared lunch and informal
evening meal. The plan is for residents and volunteers to
live in one wing as a visible Christian community, while the
rest of the house serves as a base for many activities, for
residential and transient visitors.

Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs, and of course

you can combine that with a holiday in the area.
Especially desirable would be volunteers staying for a month
or more, and French language to help with administrative
tasks and welcoming visitors. Non-working visitors are also
welcome, paying hotel rates to help with the finances. The A

7
Rocha web site is www.arocha.org. You can contact me on
01235 521931 or richard.riggs@physics.org.

Christmas –
this and every year

I N his Delight, first published in 1949 and, I

believe, re-issued this year in an anniversary
edition, J. B. Priestley remembered a Christmas Day ‘of
pure delight, and I could not buy one like it for a
thousand pounds.’

Among the young Priestley’s presents was a red and

white football shirt and a football. He spent the
morning on a snow-covered field ‘as a solitary Robinson
Crusoe . . . now dribbling along the wing past four
imaginary opponents, now dashing in towards invisible
posts and nets to score tremendous goals.’ In the
afternoon ‘when parents and relatives, somulent after
the huge Christmas dinner of that time, were
muttering and snoring . . .’ he went to play with the boy
next door. That boy had been given a miniature
printing press which printed nothing but ‘two smudgy
ducks’ and the boys spent the whole afternoon printing
hundreds of them.

8
In that little essay Priestley looked back 45 years.

I can now look back more than that and I see myself
afresh with just as much innocent Christmas delight.
The smell of Christmas afternoon – and very
occasionally I catch a nostalgic whiff of it yet – was a
blend of oranges and cigar smoke. The activities (when
the grown- ups awoke) were ‘Murder’ or Charades in
which uncles dressed up as ugly sisters, with hilarious
results, or ‘Consequences or similar. At dinner the
Christmas pudding had money in it; the quality of ‘the
bird ‘ was a serious matter; the men did the washing
up.

The presents were bought out of hard earned wages

by people who had known what it was to be poor. There
were crackers, a decorated tree, paper hats and silly
mottoes. Before all that was the Christmas Day
service and towards the end of the day my father (a
baker) would have to go to work for a couple of hours
as it was business as usual for him the next day.

Like Priestley’s delight, mine too was so innocent. But

then, what could be more innocent than that child laid
in that manger and watched over by that mother?
What did the shepherds bring apart from delight at
the child? As for the wise men, well, they travelled far
(‘A cold coming we had of it . . . a cold coming we had of

9
it’) and carried precious gifts because they were
coming to a king. But even more than their gifts they
brought themselves and if T. S. Eliot had it aright (and
surely he did) they were changed for ever.

‘We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,

But no longer at ease here, in the old
dispensations
With an alien people clutching their gods’

And how do we come to Christmas now? Perhaps on

tip-toe for there is still wonder in our hearts and not a
little awe. With love because that is a gift we offer to
and receive from others because He makes it possible:
‘We love because He first loved us.’ With that
innocence which enables us to simply to be glad for
gladness’ sake, to give for giving’s sake and to
treasure, for their own sake, those with whom we are
blessed. And in a humility born of wonder kneeling
before that child, that Word made Flesh; that miracle
of giving of which Charles Wesley wrote:

‘Stand amazed, ye heavens at this:

See the Lord of earth and skies;
Humbled to the dust He is,
And in a manger lies.’

And finding our own delight?

10
 John Rowland

THÉRÈSE of
LISIEUX
Hilary Clare
(St Michael’s)

S T Thérèse
Lisieux has been
much in the news
recent months, as her
of

in

relics toured Britain and

were venerated by an
extraordinary number of
people. I do not propose to
discuss the question of
relics: some find them
helpful, others repellent,
and your viewpoint
probably depends as much on temperament as on upbringing.
But the recent publicity sent me to find out about St Thérèse.

She is a relatively recent saint, born in Alençon in Normandy on 2

January, 1873, the youngest of the five surviving daughters of
Louis and Zélie Martin. Both parents were pious Catholics who
had themselves in youth wished to enter religion and brought up
their children in the same spirit. Zélie Martin died when her
youngest daughter was only four, after which her father moved to
Lisieux to have the assistance of an aunt in bringing up his girls.

11
Thérèse was first taught by her elder sisters and then by
Benedictine nuns. In 1882 her second sister, Pauline, became a
nun in the Carmelite convent at Lisieux, to be followed four years
later by the eldest, Marie. Thérèse also desired to enter the same
convent, but was refused because of her extreme youth (only
fourteen).
Following an audience with the Pope (who told her to obey her
superiors) she was finally given permission by the local bishop to
enter at fifteen, and was received as a postulant on 9 April, 1888.
When, in 1894, her father died after several years of mental
illness, her third sister also entered the Carmel, and the fourth
(refused entrance to the Carmel) became a nun in another order.
Meanwhile Thérèse had gone through all the preliminary stages,
her name in religion being Thérèse of the Child Jesus, to which
was added ‘and the Holy Face’, to which she had a special
devotion. In 1895, at her sister’s suggestion she wrote an account
of her childhood, to which she later added an account of her
religious life. After Thérèse’s death on 30 September, 1897, aged
twenty-four, from tuberculosis, her sister edited these
autobiographical pieces, which were published as the Story of a
Soul and became immediately and immensely popular.

SWEETNESS and SIMPLICITY

Thérèse’s appeal lay in her extreme sweetness and simplicity, and
that of her ‘little way’ in its complete application to everyone,
however humble. She taught that it was not necessary to
accomplish great acts of heroism:

"Love proves itself by deeds, so how am I to show my

love? Great deeds are forbidden me. The only way I can
prove my love is by scattering flowers and these flowers
are every little sacrifice, every glance and word, and the
doing of the least actions for love."

12
Nor was it necessary to be very learned:

"Sometimes, when I read spiritual treatises, in which

perfection is shown with a thousand obstacles in the way
and a host of illusions round about it, my poor little mind
soon grows weary, I close the learned book, which leaves
my head splitting and my heart parched, and I take the Holy
Scriptures. Then all seems luminous, a single word opens
up infinite horizons to my soul, perfection seems easy; I see
that it is enough to realize one's nothingness, and give
oneself wholly, like a child, into the arms of the good God.
Leaving to great souls, great minds, the fine books I cannot
understand, I rejoice to be little because 'only children, and
those who are like them, will be admitted to the heavenly
banquet'."

And on prayer she wrote:

"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look

turned toward Heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love,
embracing both trial and joy; in a word, something noble,
supernatural, which enlarges my soul and unites it to God....
I have not the courage to look through books for beautiful
prayers.... I do as a child who has not learned to read, I just
tell our Lord all that I want and He understands."

With her emphasis on the way the trials of ‘ordinary’ life could be
offered to God she was not unlike John Keble in his well-known
hymn:

The trivial round, the common task,

Would furnish all we ought to ask, -
Room to deny ourselves, a road
That brings us daily nearer God.

13
The movement to canonise Thérèse began in 1914 and was
completed in 1925, only twenty-eight years after her. Various
miracles of healing (including curing the seven-year-old Edith Piaf
of blindness) have been attributed to her intercession.
Her feast day, originally 3 October, is now celebrated on 1
October. She has become increasingly popular, and is held to be
the patron saint of aids sufferers, aviators, florists (she is
sometimes known as the Little Flower), illness, and missions. (her
great desire to become a missionary was defeated by her illness.)
In 1944 she was named as a co-patroness of France alongside Joan
of Arc.

The ‘ordinary’ girl who lived for so short a time in such narrow
surroundings stands today beside the other ‘ordinary’ girl who led
France to victory in the fifteenth century.

ONE CANNOT LIVE

BY BREAD ALONE . . .
. . . but, at St Edmund’s Centre in Abingdon each month,
much more is provided for elderly, and perhaps lonely,
folk living in the surrounding parishes of Abingdon. Here
they will socialise and enjoy a splendid meal provided by a
dedicated small team of helpers. Although those who
attend are mostly members of St Edmund’s, those of
other parishes are equally welcome. However, numbers
attending appear to be increasing which is putting
pressure on those providing the lunch. If anyone would
be interested in joining the ‘Cooks’ Rota’ they would
receive an encouraging response from Justin Gosling

14
(01235 523310). Also, anyone interested in attending
and would like transport should contact Mary Mulqueen
(01235 534873).

SLOW DANCE
Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping the ground?
Do you run through each day on the fly?
When you ask ‘How are you? Do you hear the reply?
When the day is done do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores running through your head?

You’d better slow down, don’t dance so fast,

time is short, the music won’t last

Ever told your child, we’ll do it tomorrow?

And in your haste not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Because you never had time to call and say, ‘Hi’?

You’d better slow down, don’t dance so fast,

time is short, the music won’t last

When you run so fast to get somewhere,

You miss half the fun of getting there
When you hurry through your day
It is like an unopened gift - thrown away

Life is not a race - do take it slower

15
Hear the music before the song is over

This was a poem written by a teenager in a New

York hospital terminally ill with cancer - Ed

VISIT to ARGENTAN
A GROUP of 13 people from various Abingdon churches
visited Argentan, our twin town in Normandy, between 8
and 12 October. This was a most enjoyable weekend which
strengthened the links between the church communities in both
places.

Most of the party,

leaving cars at
Portsmouth, crossed
to Ouistreham, the
port for Caen, on the
Thursday afternoon.
The out-of-season
ferry (the Mont St
Michel) was more
than half-empty, the
sea was calm, and the
food on board a
delicious foretaste of things to come! Even the fact that, because
of the hour’s difference in time (France is an hour ahead) we
arrived in the dark at 9.30 p.m., did nothing to damp our spirits. A
welcome party was ready for us at the ferry terminal, and in under
an hour we arrived in Argentan to meet our hosts for the weekend.

16
It would be difficult to speak too warmly of the kindness and
generosity of our French hosts, which turned the weekend into a
most memorable experience and a real forging of friendships.
Possible language difficulties proved, with good will on both
sides, to be nothing of the kind, and everyone’s efforts to
understand – and speak – the other tongue were great bonding
experiences! Especial thanks must go to Pierre Sillière, the
organiser at the Argentan end.
The first morning of our stay was devoted to a visit to the Museum
of Lace, a craft for which Argentan was famous in the 17th and 18th
centuries and which is still practised today, though of course not to
the same extent. The museum is housed in an elegantly restored
bourgeois town house, standing in a garden that has been
redesigned to contain plants used in lace-making and with beds
and topiary displaying lace patterns. After the Lace Museum we
went on to a reception at the Hotel de Ville (town hall), where a
representative of the mayor greeted us over delicious and lavish
refreshments.

We returned to our host families for dejeuner – a repast to which

the word lunch could not possibly be applied – and in the
afternoon were driven to Sées, a tiny town a quarter the size of
Argentan but which is the seat of the bishop of the diocese. We
had plenty of time to admire the cathedral, a fine example of 13 th
and 14th century Gothic, and were privileged to have a special
opening of the Museum of Religious Art. Perhaps the most
surprising thing we saw here was Thomas Becket’s comb,
apparently left behind on a fleeting visit to Argentan In the
evening we gathered for a meal, provided by a local organisation,
Amities Internationales, which included a Norman speciality –
cold rice pudding, but what a cold rice pudding!

Then came the main purpose of the weekend, a conference to

explain to our French friends about the ecumenical movement in
Britain and about the history and work of the Church-in-Abingdon
in particular. John Clare (St Michael’s C.of E.) spoke in French

17
about the history of the movement and Maurice Tubb (All Saints’
Methodists) about the Church-in-Abingdon, his English being
translated by a retired Anglican clergyman who now lives in the
neighbourhood. Charles Miller (team rector, St Helen’s C.of E.)
then gave a description of parish life. Questions were taken and
some lively discussion followed. Of course the situation in
Argentan, as elsewhere in France, is quite different from that in
England: there, the Roman Catholic Church is the predominant
Christian denomination, and although there are Protestant and
Evangelical communities they are very small and were not
represented on this occasion. But Christians in both countries have
in common the increasing fight against secularism and against the
drifting away from church of so many young people.

Saturday morning was free from formal commitments. We

enjoyed strolling round Argentan on a shopping expedition with
our hosts, visiting both the traditional small shops in the centre of
town and the mammoth supermarket on the outskirts. (Think
Tesco meets Homebase and at least double it …) Our purchase of
local delicacies (Camembert and Livarot cheeses) had to be
severely quarantined on the journey home!

In the afternoon we visited the interesting parish church of Silly-

en-Gouffern, of especial relevance since the Premonstratensian
abbey there was lavishly endowed by our own would-be-queen the
Empress Matilda, daughter of Henry I, who had Abingdon
connections. Silly-en-Gouffern has fared rather better than
Abingdon – it has managed to keep at least part of one of the two
churches belonging to the monastery! (The second church, parallel
to the one surviving, was built for the local villagers and for
women, who were not allowed to set foot in the brothers’ church.)
After yet more municipal hospitality we were shown more of the
countryside, ending up at the National Stud at Haras du Pin.
Unfortunately we were just too late to see the visitor centre, but
we were able to admire the splendid buildings and catch glimpses
of some of the horses.

18
On Sunday we attended mass at St Germain, the main church of
Argentan. Members of our group took active parts in the service,
reading a lesson, joining the offertory procession, playing the
organ, and Charles Miller both read the Gospel and concelebrated
with Père Christophe Pechet the parish priest. This meant that we
were able to have the great joy of receiving communion alongside
our French brothers and sisters in Christ.
The form of the service was of course fundamentally the same as
the Church of England eucharist, but with natural differences of
usage. Hymn singing is not a French Catholic tradition – although
at one point the congregation burst into the tune Amazing Grace! –
and the singing was led by a (female) cantor, the congregation
joining only in responses.

Following mass we were able to look at the church in detail,

admiring the restoration of its splendid Gothic nave and 16th
century choir and sanctuary – virtually all but the shell of the
building was destroyed in World War II.

In the afternoon we came back to St Germain at 17.00 for an organ

recital given by Fabrice Penin, a distinguished local organist, and
by our own Richard Bittleston from Trinity. Almost inevitably,
this was followed by refreshments in the sacristy – and vestries
turn out to be vestries the world over, with cupboards for robes &c
rubbing shoulders (so to speak) with flower-arranging
impedimenta.
Then it was home for supper and an evening watching France
defeat the Faroe Islands at football. We were up again at 5 a.m. to
rendezvous at 6.30 for the drive back to Ouistreham to catch the
8.00 ferry. By the time we reached England, of course, our
getting-up time had slipped back to 4 a.m., but this did nothing to
spoil the memory of a truly marvellous and heart-warming visit to
France.

19
We look forward to welcoming our friends from Argentan on a
return visit in the not-too-distant future.

Involvement in Community
The Neighbourhood Action
Group
I WONDER if you know what the Neighbourhood Action
Group is? The NAG, as it is commonly known, is a multi-
agency problem solving group of key community agencies
and other members of the local community. These include
local councillors, chamber of commerce, members from
education, fire service, neighbourhood watch and the police.
Over the past two years I have been involved in my role as
Community Missioner at Abingdon Baptist Church and in
recent months taken on chairing the meetings.

The aim of the NAG is to put together action plans and

improve community safety and generally enhance the local
community for residents, visitors and workers in the town.

Through a process of consultation with the community the

NAG identifies priority issues and then seeks to address
them. For example, initially the major concerns were
connected with anti-social behaviour. As a result a number
of steps have been taken to help reduce the problem. In
particular we have been seeking ways to bring older and

20
younger folk together and help overcome the fear of crime
and improve mutual respect and understanding.

A recent survey has shown that anti-social behaviour is now

less of a concern and the new priorities are policing in the
town, groups of young people and street lighting. As these
are quite broad issues to look at, a more focused study is
being done to explore the specifics such as times, areas
affected, expectations etc.
Above all, the NAG is an excellent place to network, build
relationships with other agencies, creatively work together
and be informed about our community. I believe this is key
for the church, so that we can ensure we remain relevant in
understanding the community in which we are set.
I am delighted that the Church in Abingdon governing body
has now recognised membership of the NAG as a CiA role.
In other words, when at some time in the future, I move on,
somebody else from the churches would represent the faith
community. This is something I would like to start working
towards now and would like to hear from anybody who feels
that this is something that God may be calling them to. It
would be appropriate to start coming along to meetings at
any time to get a feel for what the NAG is about and how it
operates.
If you are interested and would like to chat further please
contact me either by email or phone.
Colin Pattenden colinpat7@hotmail.com Tel. 01235
52993

Pastor at Peachcroft

21
The role of Youth Pastor at Peachcroft Christian
Centre has been undertaken by Lawrence Shama
who has arrived in Abingdon with his wife Catherine
and their four children. Formerly working in
Blackbird Leys and the Rose Hill area of Oxford his
new job will be within the ‘Desire’ Network. He will
also be supporting lunchtime clubs in schools among
his other youth work at Peachcroft. We welcome him at
wish him every success.

Curate at St
Helen’s
W E welcome to
Abingdon
the Revd Dr Simon
Thorn, the new part-
time curate at St
Helen’s, his wife
Rachel and their son
Jacob. They live at Radley College where Simon is Head of
Science. Simon first thought about becoming a priest when
he was a pupil at Winchester College but instead studied
physiology at Bristol University where he went on to train
as a neuroscientist. After completing his PhD, he became a
biology teacher, first in Winchester, then in Perth
(Scotland) and was appointed head of Biology at Radley
College in 1997. Earlier this year he enjoyed a sabbatical
term researching the neuroscience of dyslexia at Oxford

22
University. He has spent the last three years in part-time
theological training on the Oxford Ministry Course at Ripon
College, Cuddesdon. Rachel is a classical soprano and gives
regular recitals around Oxford and further afield. Jacob
is also a keen singer and musician and until earlier this year
was a chorister at Magdalen College. As a family, they
particularly enjoy art, walking their two whippets and
making music.

A VISIT to SISTER
JULIAN’S CELL at
NORWICH
S
ISTER Julian was an ‘anchoress,’ taking her name from
the church to which her cell was attached i.e. St Julian’s (the
patron saint of ferrymen) in Norwich.
This church was bombed during the
Second World War so the buildings
we saw had been restored. Sister
Julian had a number of visions (that
she referred to as ‘showings’)
during a serious illness when she
had been given the ‘last rights’ and
was at the point of death. She
meditated on the meaning of these
for 20 years before publishing them
in the first book to be written by a
woman in English. Her views were
revolutionary at the time (1363) when the church was divided,

23
having a Pope in Avignon and one in Rome. If she had been
condemned as a ‘heretic’ she could have been burned at the stake,
so it took courage to publish such unorthodox views. As an
anchoress she was confined for life to her cell at the church,
having only a visiting servant for her needs. One cell window
opened on to the street (through which she could give spiritual
help to whoever asked for it) and one window opened into the
adjacent church for her devotions and to receive mass. This was
the time of the ‘Black Death’ that first came to Norwich in 1349
and recurred several times thereafter. It was also the time of the
‘Hundred Years War.’
We don’t know her real name, or anything else about her apart
from her time as an anchoress. There were about 40 anchorites in
Norwich at that time. No miracles are recorded, so she could not
be beatified in sainthood. It is recorded that she was visited by a
woman called Margery Kempe in about 1413. One translation of
her work from medieval to modern English is Revelations of
Divine Love, a ‘Penguin’ publication, by Clifton Wolters in 1966.
The internet is also a good source of information about her.
The Church’s teachings during her time were focused on sin,
death, punishment and hell. Her visions made her focus on the
love of God, the passion of Jesus and the forgiveness he bought
for us. She was led to visualize all that God made as an object
small enough to hold in the hand. It was small enough to disappear
altogether but she understood it would last forever because God
loved it.
“What, do you wish to know your Lord’s meaning in this thing?
Know it well, love was his meaning. Who reveals it to you? Love.
What did he reveal to you? Love. Why does he reveal it to you?
For love. [...] So I was taught that love is our Lord’s meaning. And
I saw very certainly in this and in everything that before God
made us he loved us, which love was never abated and never will
be.”

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Despite the very real existence of pain and sin, in ourselves and in
our world, says Sister Julian, “all shall be well, and all shall be
well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” It is through her
unshakeable confidence in the transformative power of God’s
unconditional love that this extraordinary claim comes as an
assurance that resonates in our own troubled times with a
profound ring of hope.
I visited Norwich with a group from St Helen’s Parish Church,
Abingdon. This was intended to be (and, indeed, was) an
enjoyable and ‘bonding’ time together. On the way to Norwich,
we visited Ely and Wynmondham Abbey. The next morning, we
went to St Julian’s church.
The church had been destroyed by bombing during the war and
then restored using some of the original rubble. We entered and
admired the church’s construction and artifacts chatting to each
other about this and that. Then, in small groups, we entered the
small cell that had been Sister Julian’s.
In there, we fell silent. Somehow, the atmosphere of this small
area got to us. We looked at a single, flickering, candle and
imagined Sister Julian being in there with only God for company.
Our Rector reminded us of the story of the conquering Roman
soldier who entered the Temple at Jerusalem. He looked at the
vessels of gold. Then, thinking that the inner sanctum must be
even richer, he entered and was amazed to find it empty He found
the quiet ‘emptiness’ more awesome than the riches outside.
Thus, the simplicity if that little cell reminded us of how we
should empty ourselves of all clamour and distractions to get
nearer to God. H.S.
© Quality Matters Harry Simpson 2009

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There are numerous stories detailing the origin of "Silent Night,
Holy Night," which is quite possibly the favourite among all
Christmas carols. The most popularly-told tale is one whose roots
are to be found to Austria.
In the winter of 1818 at St. Nicholas' Church in Obendorf, a
village not far from Salzburg, Joseph Mohr, assistant to the priest,
was faced with something of a dilemma. It was only days before
Christmas, and the church organ, so vital in providing music for
the services, was broken. It would be months before the organ
could be put back into working condition by which time,
Christmas would be long past. Mohr's solution to this problem
resulted in one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time.
Two years previous, Mohr had written a simple poem, easily
understood by the people of the village, which expressed the
wonder of the birth of the Christ Child. Mohr had asked his friend,
Franz Gruber, the organist at St. Nicholas' Church, to compose
music for his poem, so that they might sing it together using the
accompaniment of a guitar.

26
Thus, the newly-composed carol was first performed during the
Christmas Eve midnight service held at St. Nicholas' Church on
December 24, 1818. It did not, however, instantly receive the
worldwide recognition that it has since garnered. It was not until
some years later, in 1825 when Carl Mauracher was rebuilding the
broken organ, that a handwritten copy of the words and
accompanying sheet music was discovered in the organ loft.

Mauracher was from an area in the Tyrol Mountains where there

were many travelling folk choirs who performed throughout
Europe. He returned with the carol to his home and it soon became
a favoured song with the travelling singers. Thus, did the
popularity of "Silent Night, Holy Night" spread as these choirs
journeyed the countryside, singing their songs.

In some versions of this story, it is said that mice had eaten the
bellows of the organ. Still others maintain that Gruber himself had
broken the organ, or that frequent flooding of the area often
caused rust and mildew to affect the condition of the church organ,
such that it became unplayable.

In all truth, it is unknown whether the organ was truly broken

during the Christmastime of 1818. It is rumoured that perhaps
Mohr simply wanted a new carol for the service and was fond of
the guitar as an accompanying instrument. Other tales suggest that
both the poem and the music were hastily written on that
Christmas Eve.

In 1995, a manuscript entitled "Silent Night" was unearthed,

written in Mohr's hand. It is dated 1816 and credits the melody to
Franz Gruber. Nevertheless, no matter what the details of the
circumstances regarding the contribution of this carol by Joseph
Mohr and Franz Gruber, they gave the world what is considered
by many to be one of the most beautiful of all Christmas songs.

27
Crash Pad Scheme – Could you help?

O XFORDSHIRE Emergency Access Supported Lodgings

aims to respond to a crisis in the home life of a 16 -25 year
old. Crash Pad provides a room in an approved host’s home giving
time to mediate between the young person and family or carers.
They also aim to put a support plan into action and engaging them
with appropriate services in order that they may move on. Young
people are referred by social and housing services and a swift
screening takes place to ensure suitability for the scheme.

What a Crash Pad hosts?

These are people recruited from the local community who provide
the accommodation for up to six weeks and work alongside a
young person’s support worker in order to help them move on to
somewhere more suitable long term or back to the family home.
Hosts are given funding of £170 per week and paid a retainer of
£25 a week when not occupied.
Hosts undergo an assessment procedure including a series of
interviews, references and checks and an induction, as well as
ongoing training. They need to provide a bedroom for sole use,
and use of kitchen, laundry facilities, bathroom and communal
areas as well as food for the young person as agreed.
Procedures are put in place should a young person break the
agreed house rules and there are regular supervision meetings.
There are no age limits for hosts although you should not have any
children under 12 years at home. Above all you need patience,
compassion, understanding and a good sense of humour!
There is a plan to pilot the scheme in the Abingdon area so if you
are interested in becoming a host please let Colin know.
colinpat7@hotmail.com or 01235 529938.

28
The Church in Abingdon-
a personal impression
M
Y wife and I moved to Abingdon in 1987, so we arrived before the
Church in Abingdon was inaugurated. I still remember the
Inauguration Service held in St Helen’s church when the original
covenant was signed by representatives of the participating
churches and their respective denominations. It was a solemn, but
exciting service which I subsequently learned was the culmination
of several years’ talking, planning and negotiating.
Since then I have been involved in the Church in Abingdon in
several ways, partly as a member of one of the participating
churches, and partly as a member of the Executive Committee,
Governing Body and Leadership Team. This gives me a broad
personal perspective that I now want to share with the other
members of the Church in Abingdon.
The first thing that impresses me is the name “The Church in
Abingdon”. It has been said before but bears repeating; it is
significant that we call ourselves this rather than (say) “Churches
Together in Abingdon” for the name affirms that even with all our
differences in practise and teaching, we still belong together under
the Lordship of Christ.
a. The second point that I would make is one that I have to
come to understand since arriving in Abingdon, having
been a member of a large Baptist church in London. This is
that what we have in common as Christians is far more
important and significant than our differences. Of course it
is quite understandable that we differ
b. it works in proclaiming the gospel, as individual churches
and as groups of churches, for example in the joint Alpha
Supper which has led into a number of Alpha courses, it
works in mission to the local and worldwide community

29
 through the various Task Groups, for example Christian
Aid or Church Twinning, and other bodies that have
formed because we work together, as we are all individual
people with our own personalities, experiences, upbringing
and understanding. And this is good for I have come to see
that my understanding of our God is very limited and is
(and has been) made larger as I have shared with others. I
wonder if one of the things that we shall do when we get to
heaven is to tell others what we see and know of God, and
listen to others telling us of their unique perspectives.
My third thought is the Church in Abingdon is very active.
But what does it do, you may ask. My answer is that:
c. it meets for worship regularly, often week by week at
separate times and in separate places, but sometimes
jointly, for example at the yearly Celebration meeting, or
the Unity service at the end of the Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity,
d. it works when we meet to study and pray together, for
example at the Lent Lecture courses or in the home study
groups that have been organised from time to time,
e. it works as we share news of our individual churches,
though our newsletters, e-mail lists etc,
f. it works when we serve the local community, for example
through the coffee shop and other facilities at 35 Ock
Street, or though our involvement in The Abingdon Bridge
project for vulnerable young people.
I am quite certain that the Church is Abingdon is right for
Abingdon, and being a member has brought growth and blessing
to my own Christian experience. I pray that it will be the same for
you. Jonathan Wheeler

Church in Abingdon

30
 Volunteering Opportunities

Hands of Friendship
An integrated Christian group for adults with learning difficulties
based at All Saints meeting fortnightly on Tuesday evenings from
6.30pm to 7.30pm. Each evening includes a Bible story focus,
new slot, music, craft and refreshments. Help required in
programme planning, supporting the friends and getting to know
the carers. For details contact Diane Livesley on 530257
35 Ock St Café and Hospitality Centre
This valuable service offered by the Church in Abingdon urgently
requires Catering Assistants to help prepare, cook and serve the
food in the servery. Basic cooking skills an advantage but
training given. Most important, a friendly disposition and enjoy
being part of the Ock St. team. Particular help for Mondays but
other days considered. Times from 9.15am to 2.15pm (or parts
thereof) and volunteers can work either weekly, fortnightly or
monthly. For more details contact Jan Hughes on 530080

College Faith Team

Colin Pattenden (Community Missioner Abingdon Baptist Church)
is looking to expand the team based in Abingdon Further
Education College. The aim is to connect with staff and students,
bringing a spiritual dynamic to the work of the college. This has
led to involvement in tutorials, and bringing in special projects
such as the Foodbank and Christian Aid. The team also support
the Equality and Diversity fortnight. The Faith Team is part of the
Student Support Services and works in conjunction with team
members at the Witney Campus. A heart for working with young
people, a flexible approach and good communication skills are
vital for this evolving initiative. Contact Colin on 530080 or
colinpat7@hotmail.com

Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)

31
The Church in Abingdon have decided that the role as a member
of the NAG should become a CiA responsibility. The NAG is a
group formed from stakeholders in the community who are there
to respond together to concerns raised by the public, in order to
create a safer and more pleasant environment to live and work.
Meetings take place every 5 weeks on Wednesday evenings for
no more that two hours. This is a great opportunity for a CiA
member to input into the life of Abingdon and to network with
other agencies to enhance our town. Contact Colin on 530080 or
colinpat7@hotmail.com

Abingdon Town Centre Chaplaincy ATCC

ATCC was launched in June this year and is now a team of 7

chaplains connecting with business and services in the town in
different ways. The aim is to provide support to people in the
workplace through being a listening ear and friendly face. An
understanding of the town and support agencies is useful and
some of the work involves signposting. There are also
opportunities for conversation for those exploring faith issues and
much more. We would like the team to grow and to cover more of
the town. If you would like further information contact Richard
Bittleston on support@atcc.org.uk or Tel 520282

Bereavement Support Group

Shortly to be launched this initiative aims to encourage those
going through the grieving process to come together and find
mutual help and support. It is hoped that a group will meet once a
month, looking at different aspects of grief but giving time to
share and reflect. If you are interested in the project a planning
meeting is to be held at St. Helens Parish Centre on Thursday
November 12th at 7.30pm. For more details contact Tim Hewes
on timothy.hewes@btinternet.com or Tel. 01865 735646

Being a Christian –
32
and a Councillor
I WAS asked how being a Christian affected my being a
Councillor and here is my attempt at an answer.

To me being a Councillor is a way of putting something back

into the community in which I live. I think my being a
Christian doesn’t particularly affect that idea because there are
lots of people of all religious and political views who want
much the same things as I do for the Vale of White Horse. I
think we all want the Vale to be a pleasant place to live where
everyone is treated fairly and given opportunities to develop and
improve their locality and their lives. The problem comes with
translating those ideals into Council decisions because what
pleases some people doesn’t necessarily suit everyone. The
Council has a policy of reminding us of our responsibilities and
each Full Council meeting actually opens with Prayers where a
local clergy person is invited to address the councillors in a sort
of ‘thought for the day’ followed by a short prayer. It is true
that some members leave the room for that part of the meeting,
but they are small in number.

For the most part my daily work involves representing residents

of Northcourt ward in matters relating to planning, housing,
rubbish collection, parking and dog waste bins. I try to listen
sympathetically and ensure their views are heard and considered
fairly, especially as housing problems, in particular, cause
people to be in a very worried state.
I am concerned about the environment and support Council
efforts to increase recycling, even if it involves a bit of extra
effort for residents; and at this point I must say that I support the
joint Rubbish and Recycling contract the Vale has with South
Oxfordshire District Council. This started in SODC in June

33
2009 and commences in the Vale of White Horse in October
2010. The changes may slightly inconvenience us all until we
get used to the new system of wheelie bins, but recycling will
increase, landfill will decrease and the costs due to joint
working with another district council will be reduced. That has
to be good for local taxpayers.

Where to allow all the extra houses, which central Government

says must be planned for in the Vale, is a painful issue as no one
likes change when it comes to more houses nearby. However
decisions must be made and to help me decide how to vote I
keep my Christian ideas of fair play and justice in the
circumstances in mind. We cannot hold ‘Not in my Backyard’
views when people need somewhere to live. It can be hard to
get the balance right though.
I recommend being a local councillor as a way of being more
involved in the community and providing an opportunity to
learn more about what goes on, and even to have a small input
into the decisions that affect us all.
Laurel Symons

Women's World Day of Prayer

Come and join in a round the world service of prayer and
songs prepared by Christian Women of Cameroon

Friday 5 March 2010, 10.30am Salvation Army 7pm All

Saints Methodist Church

All welcome, women, men and young people

More details from your church representative

Christmas Crossword

34
 Across Down
1 Transportation over snow (4) 1 Bright celestial body (4)
3 Seasoned ingredients (8) 2 Christmas tree type (4)
6 Baby's bed (4) 3 Take aback (8)
8 Period from Dec 24th to Jan 6th 4 No room here! (3)
(4) 5 Elvish colour (5)
9 Red-breasted bird (5) 6 Sweets; flavoured sugar (5)
1 Twelve days after Christmas (8) 7 Container usually found in a
12 Alcoholic drink served bowl (5) stable (6)
13 Jolly (5) 10 Beginning of life (5)
14 News (7) 13 Amazing event (7)
15 Goes with the turkey (9,5) 14 Written after Christmas? (5,3,6)
19 A type of tree used at 15 Formal events (10)
Christmas (5) 16 Ring out from churches (5)
20 The colour of Santa's hat (3) 17 Accompaniment for food (5)
22 ____ log; traditionally burned at 18 Printed or written greeting (4)
Christmas (4) 21 Month in which Christmas falls
23 Sanctified (6) (8)
24 Cured leg of pork (3) 25 Nature of God (6)
27 Christmas song (6,5) 26 One was born in Bethlehem (5)
29 Found under the Christmas 28 Sweetened milk drink, with
tree? (8) eggs and alcohol (6)
30 Grace (8)
CHRISTIAN FOCUS29 Pastry dish (3)
MAGAZINE
31 Snow falls in this season (6)
Many of you
32 Given at appear to be
Christmas (4) pleased with theAnswers
new format of the
on Page 25 magazine and
the change of style. For some time the cover price has remained at £1
each year for the four issues. However, with the introduction of colour,
the cost of printing has increased considerably. The CiA will still subsidise
the magazine as before but in the New Year each issue will cost 40p
(£1.60) per annum. Thank you for your continuing support.
35
 DEADLINE FOR COPY FOR THE NEXT EDITION OF CHRISTIAN FOCUS
IS FEBRUARY 1, 2010.
Copy or photographs should be sent to the editor, Ron Moss, at 5 The
Lodge, Bayworth Lane, Boars Hill, Oxford OX1 5DF. Telephone 01865
321537. E-mail address: ronmoss7@tiscali.co.uk
Copy should be sent by e-mail, as a Word document, on a CD, typed or
printed.

EDITORIAL PANEL

Hilary Clare (St Michael’s)………………………………01235 525898

Margaret Ellwood (All Saints)………………………… 01235 526636
Neil Hancox (St Edmund’s)………………………… 01235 524534
Margaret Langsford (Trinity)………………………..… 01235 521536
Denise Mulvey (Abingdon Baptist Church)………… 01235 520603
Judy White (Christ Church)…………………………… 01235 521369
Felicity Fletcher-Campbell (St. Helen’s) ……………… 01865 739430
Ron Moss (Editor)……………………………………… 01865 321537

ANNOUNCEMENT
Due to a problem with the ISP (Orange) I have been unable to send or
receive emails since late September. This may have resulted in some
contributions to CF not being received for inclusion in this edition.
However, I am with a new ISP and my email address is
ronmoss7@tiscali.co.uk and I hope all will be well in future. Ed.

—————————————————————————————————
Published by the Church in Abingdon and printed by Print-Mart, 7 Foliat Drive, Wantage, OX12 7AN

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